Record feeding machine



.. f* vnvuu nl l I HLHUL. }\/\{,/Hl\[ l A. H. DlcKlNsoN 2,464,561

RECORD FEEDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 DU-CUI. "V

Flpazlz XR y March l5, 1949.

Original Filed Jan. 20, 1940 ATTORNEY.

March l5, 1949. A. H. DlcKlNsoN RECORD FEEDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Jan. 20, 1940 QOH.

Nav

a, :JNVENTOR BY ATTORNEY.

March l5, 1949. A. H. DlcKlNsoN RECORD FEEDING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 20. 1940 qpwmur March 15, 1949. A, H, DlCKlNsQN 2,464,561

RECORD FEEDING IAGHINE Original Filed Jan. 20, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 BY VENO ATTORNEY Patented Mar. is, 1949 2.404.561 nEcoan FEEDING MACHINE Arthur H. Dickinson. Scandale, N. Y., aulgnor to International Business Machine! Corporation, New York. N. Y.. a corporation of New York Original application January 20, 1840, Serial No. 314,767. Divided and this application June 24, 1943, Serial No. 492,085

8 Claims. (Cl. 192-127) This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 314,767, nled January 20, 1940, and relates to record feeding means and controls therefor.

'In my copending application, a machine is disclosed for feeding records. comprised of frames of a film, past scanning means. The scanning means controls the operation of accounting mechanism in accordance with data designated in code on the records. Groups of such record frames are separated by blank frames. Each group usually has a common group factor, and it is desired to suspend nlm feed in order to perform certain operations respecting data derived from a group before the next group is operated upon. Further, when the last record is operated on, actuation of the feeding means should be' suspended, -and desired accounting operations performed. Data is designated on a record preferably in accordance with the known Hollerith code. According to this code, value 0. l, 2 8 or 9 is designated by marking a correspondingly denoted differential designation position of a column of the record; e. g., a mark in position designates value 5.

The general object of the present invention is to provide novel means for controlling the feeding of records.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide photocell means for scanning a run of records to detect the presence or absence of data on such records and to suspend record feed when a date-less record is detected.

Another object of the invention is to provide electronic means for synchronizing the 'feed of records with the production of control pulses.

Another object of the invention is to provide electronic means for controlling the feeding of records in such manner as to suspend feed when a blank record is detected.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contempiated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the record feeding and scanning means, with the casing shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a section along lines 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section along lines 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a timing diagram relating to operations with which this invention is concerned.

Figs. 5a and 5b constitute the circuit diagram, with figure 5b to be viewed as at the right of Fig. 5o.

Mlcmmcax. Srnucrunn (Fins. 1 io 3) A The record material is a film which is lightpervious except where marked by opaque spots. Successive frames of the nlm are utilized as records. Groups of records. each group having some common factor, are separated by blank frames. Each record bearing data may be considered as including parallel columns, each having value designation positions 9. 8 0, and special positions 11 and 12. A value is designated in any column, according to the Hollerith code, by forming an opaque spot in the designation position corresponding to the desired value; e. g.. value 5 is denoted by marking the 5 designation position of a column.

The nlm is controlled bya feeding mechanism whose operation is manually initiated, but automatically interrupted under certain conditions. The machine includes two scanning stations spaced apart a distance equal to the length of a single nlm frame. As each record passes the nrst or upper analyzing or scanning station, the presence or absence of data thereon is detected. If the record lacks such data, means comes into operation for suspending the feeding operation automatically at a predetermined point of the cycle.

The record feeding and analyzing unit is mounted on a base 412. A casing 413, having a hinged door 414 mounted therein, encloses the record feeding unit. As shown, the entire mechanism, with the exception of motor 415 is mounted on a plate 416.

Gear 411, on the drive shaft 418 of motor 415, engages idler gear 418 meshing with gear 480 fastened to shaft 48|. :lournaled in plate 418. A portion of shaft 48|, carrying gear 482, extends through plate 418.

Gear 480, meshing with idler gear 485 drives. at a 1 to 1 ratio, a gear 483 fastened to shaft 484, iournaled in plate 418 and rigidly mounting a gear 488.

Gear 483 meshing with idler gear 489 drives at a 1 tol ratio a gear 481 mounted on shaft 488 journaled in plate 418 and rigidly carrying gear 490. Gears 482, 488 and 490 correspond to gears 24 of the U. S. Patent No. 24,150,227 to Lake and Pfaff and are provided with an equal number of vteeth and are driven clockwise. at the same speed, by means of motor 418. In contrast to the rotation of gear 24 of said patent through one revolution per machine cycle, gears 482, 486 and 480 of the instant structure rotate at such a rate as to drive associated clutch mechanisms one-tenth of a revolution per machine cycle, for a purpose which will be clear later. Associated with each of these gears is a clutch mechanism substantially similar to the clutch described in said patent.

The elements of the uppermost clutch are shown as mounted on a stud 49| (Fig. 3) fastened to plate 418. The continually rotating parts of the clutch comprise a gear 482 and a ten-tooth ratchet 493, gear 482 being driven by meshing gear 480 (Fig. 1).

Gear 2 and ratchet I together comprise an assembly unit supported by ball bearing 3a carried by stud 49|. A ratchet 494, a lever 49411. a lever extension "4b and a detent disk 485 are constructed as disclosed in said patent. Since the operation of the clutch is described in detail in the patent, it is sumcient to state here that when magnets 498 are energized, lever 4I4a disengages 4b from ratchet 494 which is released so that detent disk 4!! is clutched in and rotates in unison with ratchet 493. Ratchet 404 is engaged by extension 4a to declutch 495 upon deenergization of magnets 4", a spring 481 being provided in the instant device of return the armature of the magnet to its non-attracted position.

A sleeve 498 is fastened to detent disk 495, ratchet 494 being loosely mounted on said sleeve. Film sprockets 500 are also fastened to the sleeve 498. and this sleeve is supported on ball bearings BII and 502 which are mounted on the stud 49|, the spring clip 503 holding the sleeve assembly on the stud. The diameter of the mm sprockets "il is such that when they move onetenth of a revolution, the film is advanced a distance of one frame or for twenty index point positions of a machine cycle (Fig. 4). It will be recalled that there are ten teeth on the clutch ratchet 4 and hence a movement of one tooth of the ratchet causes the film to be advanced one frame length or for a whole machine cycle of twenty index points.

The film 52| is held on a supply reel B04 which is loosely mounted on stud B05 fastened to the plate 418. From the supply reel, the film is fed under the guide roller 506 over the sprockets 500, and under the guide roller 501. After leaving guide roller 501, the nlm is formed into a loop before it is fed down through the film gate comprising the two plates 508 and B09. Upon leaving the lm gate, which is described in detail subsequently. the film is carried under the sprockets lil and over a guide roller III. A loop is now formed in the film before it is fed under guide roller SI2 around sprockets Si! and over guide roller Si 4 to the take-up roll BIB mounted on shaft Ill. This shaft IIS and roll Bil are constantly urged in a counterclockwise direction by a coil spring belt SI1 stretched between pulley SIB and a pulley SIS mounted on shaft BIB. Pulley BIB is fastened to a shaft 520, carrying gear 485 and `iournaled in plate 416.

Two additional clutch mechanisms similar to the one described above are employed for controlling rotation of sprockets 5in and ill, respectively. These three clutches operate in unison and three are utilized instead of one in order to reduce the shock on any one clutch and reduce starting retardation to thus gain greater operating speed. The uppermost clutch controls sprockets 500 which pull the film oil from the supply reel 504. The center clutch controls the sprockets BiO which advance the nlm down through the film gate and the lowermost clutch controls the sprockets 5|3 which feed the film to the take-up spool SI5.

Since a lm is employed as the record medium, the differentially disposed spots thereon which represent amounts are analyzed or sensed by photoelectric cells. Light from a light source is conveyed to the upper and lower sensing stations and upon the traverse of the nlm past these stations, the iight intensity is modified by the indicia spots. Such light intensity modifications affect the photoelectric cells of which there are two groups, one group being located at the upper 4 sensing station and the second group at the lower sensing station. It will be understood that there are as many photocells in each of the two groups as there are columns to be analyzed An elongated tubular light source I2! is held in socket |23 fastened to plate 418. At the left of the light source is a block of molded material 824 which is provided with two rod-shaped projections 525 and B2i which serve to space the main portion of the block 624 away from plate 41.. Screws 521 passing through the plate 410 and into the ends of the projections IIB and U26 serve to hold the block in position. A plate III is fastened to the left end of block l'24 and has formed therein a suitable channel in which the film 52| slides. Two pieces of quartz l2! and I!! are molded into the block 524 and conduct light from the source 522 to the upper and lower film sensing stations designated as 530 and III, respectively. The function of each piece of quartz is to conduct and form a line of light across the iilm at each sensing station. A U-shaped member 59e fastened tothe right end of block I24'serves as a reflector and lamp guard for the light source.

Another block of molded material SI2, located at the left of the sensing stations, is supported by the plate 416 in a manner similar to the support of block U24. A plurality of quartz rods l. one for each column, conduct light which passes through unmarked portions of the illm at the upper sensing station to the photoelectrlc cells 534. Similarly arranged quartz rods 535 conduct light, which passes through the nlm at the lower sensing station, to the photoelectric cells 535. With this arrangement and with regard to a particular sensing station, all columns of the film are commonly supplied from the light source and thereafter the light conducting rods individual to each column transmit any light, which passes through the lm in a given column, to the photoelectric cell.

Plate It! has a rectangular opening in it, to enable it to fit around the right-hand portion of block 532. Brackets 531, one attached adjacent each edge of the plate Ill, support pivot pins 538 to which are pivoted levers I. one on each side of block B32. These levers are fastened to the shaft 540 which iS iournaled in block 532 and one of the levers I3! has an extension 54| which serves as a handle and to which is attached a spring B42, which acts through the elements described to urge the plate S0! against the film to hold it in the channel formed in plate 508.

Cxncun's um Orla/mon Plus and minus lines I and 2 (Figs. 5a and 5b) are supplied with direct current by a suitable source. Several oscillators are used to generate pulses at desired times of the cycles (see Fig. 4) These oscillators are of the relaxation type including a condenser charged and discharged periodically as long as power remains on the circuit lines. The condenser is charged through an impedance and discharged by closing a short circuitlng device. The charging is progressive with respect to time and potential but the discharge by short circuitlng is substantially instantaneous. producing a sharp pulse. Such an oscillator generates a saw-toothed wave. There are four oscillators directly needed in connection with the present invention. The are the D, il, 12, and 9 oscillators shown in Figs. 5a and 5b, producing pulses at the D. 11, l2, and 9 times of the cycles (Fig. 4) Since the oscillators. though only one of them, the I2 oscillator (Fig. 5a) will be described in essential detail.

The I2 oscillator comprises a condenser 22h, a pentode 23h serving as the impedance through which the condenser is charged, and a gas tube 26h functioning as the short circuiting device. Condenser 22h is connected between line and point 6b, which is on a connection between the cathode of the gas tube and the anode of the pentode. The gas tube is connected by a resistance 2lb to line I. The cathode of the pentode is connected by adjustable resistances 24h and 25h to line 2. With the described arrangement, the condenser is in parallel with gas tube 2Gb and its resistor 2lb and is in series with the pentode 23h.

The control grid of the pentode is directly connected to line 2. Hence, the control grid bias is determined by the setting of the pentodes selfbiasing resistors 24h and 25h. The screen potential of the pentode is determined by point 33h of a voltage divider across lines I and 2 and consisting of resistors 34h and 35h. The control grid of the gas tube is connected by resistors 3|b and 32h to this point 33h which thus determines normal grid potential of the gas tube, as well as screen voltage of the pentode. The anode-tocathode potential of the gas tube is determined by the condenser potential. synchronizing pulses are supplied to the grid of the gas tube by a synchronizing means which it is unnecessary to show here but which is a synchronizing oscillator as shown in my said copending application. The synchronizing pulse is fed through condenser 3l2b and resistances 363b, 364D. and 3|b to the grid of the gas tube. At such time as the condenser is applying sui'ncient potential to the anode of the gas tube, it will fire as a result of the increment of voltage added by the synchronizing pulse to the normal voltage of the grid of the gas tube. Oscillator I2 is so adjusted that the gas tube will be fired upon receiving a synchronizing pulse at each 12 time of the cycles.

The other oscillators are of the same construction as the I2 oscillator. Similar parts bear a common number but different sumx letters to distinguish them as parts of the diiferent oscillators. The 6, Il. and D oscillators are adjusted for fly back operation in response to synchronizing pulses received at the 3, II, and D times, respectively (Fig. 4)

A condenser IIb (Fig. 5a) is connected to the lower terminus of the resistor 2lb of oscillator l2. When the gas tube 26h ignites, condenser 35h discharge therethrough. producing a sharp negative pulse on resistor I 52. This negative pulse is applied via a line 26| (Figs. 5a and 5b) to the grid of a triode 63a (Fig. 5b), increasing its impedance. Consequently, the voltage difference across resistor 262 decreases and point 263 rises in voltage. charging up condenser 264. This charging action produces a positive voltage pulse on resistor 2| I. This positive pulse has the same steep characteristic and timing as the pulse which appears across resistor 2lb when gas tube 2lb fires. The purpose served by the pulse across resistor 2|| will be made clear later.

Similarly, the lower terminus of resistor 211' o oscillator D (Fig. 5a) is connected by a wire 335a (Figs. 5a and 5b) to a condenser 395 (Fig. 5b). When gas tube 261 ilres, condenser 295 discharges and produces a negative pulse on a resistor 336 tapped by a wire 336e leading to the grid of a tube 63a: (Fig. 5b). The tube impedance rises, and the point 66z'increases in voltage, charging up condenser 66x which produces a positive pulse on resistor 61x. This pulse appearing at D is used for a purpose made clear later.

In a similar manner, a condenser I 52 (Fig. 5b) connected by wire |52a to resistor 21d of the I oscillator (Fig. 5a) discharges when gas tube 26d ignites and produces a negative pulse acrossA a resistor |53 (Fig. 5b). This resistor is tapped by a connection to the grid of a tube |5411, and as impedance of the tube increases, the potential at point |56 rises, charging the condenser |51. As a result, a positive pulse appears at the 11 time on the resistor 220, and the purpose of this pulse will be explained later.

The 9 oscillator (Fig. 5b) operates similarly to discharge a condenser 230 which is connected by wires 230a and 230|; (also see Fig. 5a) and via a switch II to a resistor 23|. Resistor 23| is tapped by a wire 23|a (Figs. 5a and 5b) leading to the grid of a triode 232b (Fig. 5b). As con- 'denser 230 discharges, the resistor 23| is negatively pulsed and increases the impedance of triode 232D. Point 233 rises in voltage and charges condenser 234, producing on resistor 235 a positive pulse at the 9 time and the purpose of which will be described later.

In the foregoing manner, positive pulses are produced on resistors 2H, 235, 226 and 61x at the 12, 9. 11, and D times, respectively, of each machine cycle.

Having connected lines I and 2 to a power source, the switch 6|! (Fig. 5b) is closed providing power supply from ampliiier 6I| to the driving motor 415 by means of circuits described subsequently. With motor 415 in operation, the continually operated mechanisms of the record handling and sensing device function is previously described. The operator then threads the data bearing iilm into operative position in the feeding and sensing unit, and preferably the leading edge of the first data bearing frame is located so that it is about to pass the upper sensing station 630 (Fig. 1). It has been previously mentioned that nlm feeding is manually initiated and it should be understood that thereafter it is fed automatically past the sensing stations, frame by frame, at a uniform rate until a blank frame is detected at the upper sensing station. This indicates the end of a group of data and causes suspension of further feeding operations, as will be described hereinafter in detail.

Referring to Fig. 5b, the operator actuates the start key 45| to thereby shift its contacts to a reverse position from that shown. A condenser 6|2, which has been charged to the potential of point 6 I 3, as determined by a voltage divider consisting of resistors 6|4 and 6|5, now discharges in the local circuit comprising condenser 6I2 and resistor 6I6. The potential along resistor 6|6 is positive with respect to line 2 and therefore rebranch rises to a high potential and such rise isl indicated at 623 in Fig. 4, line a. Point 622 is connected via line 622a, to the screen grid of pentode 624' and accordingly, with point 622 at a high potential, the screen voltage of tube 624 is raised. As previously described, resistor 2|| (Fig. 5b) has a positive pulse appearing on it at "12." This positive potential is effective, via line 2Mb, to raise the control grid voltage of pentode 524. In view of the raised screen voltage of tube 524, as described above. the increase of its control grid voltage at 12" causes increase of current flow therethrough. Accordingly, at 12," the potential at point 525 rises suiliciently to effect ignition of gas triode 525. Gas tube 525 is also interposed in an impedance network which has two branches: the first branch comprises resistor 521 and tube 525D in series between lines and 2 and the second comprises resistors 529 and 550, also in series between lines l and 2.

With gas discharge tube 525 ignited, the film feed clutch magnets 495 (also see Figs. 1 and 2), series therewith, become energized, raising levers 494e and releasing lever extensions 494b from ratchets 4'94, whereby detent disks 495 are clutched in for rotation by driving ratchets 493. Since detent disks 495 are fastened respectively to sleeves 495, film feed sprockets 505, 5|0 and 5|3 begin to rotate at D of the succeeding cycle, it being recalled that the clutch driving elements 492 rotate only one-tenth of a revolution per machine cycle. The energization of clutch magnets 495 at 12 is indicated at 53| in Fig. 4, part b. Upon rotation of the fllm feed sprockets, the rst data bearing film frame starts to pass the upper sensing station (Fig. 1) at D."

Since the clutch magnets 495 are energized and film feeding is taking place, the gas tube 5|1 (Fig. 5b) may now be extinguished. This action is controlled by the impedance network in which the clutch magnets are located. Since gas tube 525 is now in a conductive state, point 509 is at high potential. The screen 'grid of pentode 5 9, being connected to point 509, is therefore at a raised potential so that any negative control grid bias reduction of 5|9 increases current ow therethrough. As explained before, a 9" pulse is produced on resistor 225 (Fig. 5b), and in the cycle in which film feeding starts, this pulse, via line 2352, opposes battery 505, thus reducing the negative control grid bias of tube 5I9. Hence, current flow through tube 5| 9 and resistor 5 I5 increases, causing a voltage drop across resistor 5|5 of sufllcient magnitude to quench gas triode 5|1. The accompanying return of point 522 to its normal voltage is indicated at 501 in Fig. 4, line a. By the foregoing arrangement of two impedance networks, the second of which includes the nlm feed clutch magnets, it is seen that the rst network may be called into action by the operators depression of the start key at any time in a cycle. The first network thereupon conditions the second network to function, under control of a 12 pulse. to energize clutch magnets 495, and film feeding operations start at a definite cyclic time, namely at D" following clutch magnet energization. With the second network functioning, it conditions the first network to be restored to idle status by a "9 pulse, in the manner explained previously.

For purposes of illustration. assume that the first frame contains the designation of amount 149. Such first frame appears in Fig. 2 on film 52|, at a point removed from' the upper sensing station, to indicate clearly the manner in which recorded data appears on the nim, this data being generally designated by 552.

Fig. 5b shows three of the photocells 554 of the upper sensing station (Figs. 1 and 2). I'hese cells sense the hundreds (H), tens (T), and units (U) columns of a'value field of the nlm. As illustrated in Fig. 5b, a plug connection is made between asocket 554 and the socket 555 associated with the hundreds order photocell 554. The plug connection places this photocell and related battery in circuit with a resistance 555. With the first frame advancing past the upper sensing station, a maximum iight intensity is permitted by the film to fall upon the hundreds order photocell 554 until 7." Up to this time and in fact at any time when no indicia spot is present, there is an increased current flow through cell 554 and a higher of two possible voltage drops exists across resistor 555. Point 535 of this resistor m connected via line 531 to point 555 in a voltage divider consisting oi resistors 539 and 545 in series between lines l and 2. Point 525 is selected with respect to line 2 so that the flow produced by the battery in series with the plugged-in photocell 534 produces a potential at point 54| on resistor 535 equal to the potential of line 2. It is apparent that whenever there is a decrease in the intensity of the light falling upon the photocell 524, there is an accompanying decrease in current now through resistor 535 and, consequently, point 54| will rise in potential with respect to line 2.

Since the hundreds order of the first record frame bears the digit 7, the aforementioned rise in potential of point 54| occurs at 7. This voltage rise reduces the negative grid bias of a gas tube 542 sufileiently to ignite it. Tube 542 is interposed in an impedance network which has two branches: the first branch comprises resistor 543 and tube 525a in series between lines and 2 and the second comprises resistors 544 and 545 likewise in series between lines and 2. With gas tube 542 ignited, there is a voltage drop at point 545 of the first impedance branch. The screen grid of tube 525b is connected, as shown, to point 545 andaccordingly, with tube 542 tired, the screen voltage of 525D is at such lowered value that a negative grid bias reduction is ineffective to produce increased current flow therethrough. The

when this 11" pulse occurs. gas triode 525 is not extinguished and therefore the feed clutch magnets 495 remain energized. This can be seen by reference to point 555 in the second cycle (Fig. 4, line b) which indicates that the potential on the clutch magnets remains at energizing value. While the record has been described as bearing a 7 spot in the hundreds order, it is clear that the operations will be similar for any other of the value spots 9 to 0 and including even a spot in the special 11 position. The foregoing indicates how each film frame is analyzed to ascertain the presence or absence of significant data therein and illustrates just how the presence of data in the form of a spot on any of the 9 to 0, 11 positions in an order of a record serves to prevent the nlm feed clutches from being deenergized. While the marks representing an amount recorded on the nlm have been described as cooperating with the sensing means at the upper station to maintain film feed and means for testing the hundreds order of each frame have been specifically described, it is understood that any order of a field may be tested by any sensing means controlled by light intensity variations or that special index marks may be provided to control the fllm feed. The circuits above described maintain clutches IBS energized as long as record frames bearing data are presented to the upper sensing station.

As described before, a positive pulse is produced on resistor 81m (Fig. 5b) at D." This pulse. via line Sila, opposes Vbattery I reducing the negative grid bias of tube ula, thereby increasing current ow therethrough and causing point 646 to drop further in potential, suillciently to extinguish 'gas triode 2. Substantially instantaneously with removal of the D pulse,

point 646 rises to its normal high potential, and this is indicated at $52 in Fig. 4, line c. During the cycle just described, the rst film frame is completely advanced through the upper sensing station to a position where its leading edge is about to traverse the lower sensing station 53| (Fig. 23). During travel of this frame through the upper sensing station, the fact that it was not a blank record but, rather, a data bearing record was ascertained, and the feed clutches remained energized to continue ilm feed. The record then traverses the lower sensing station, and the designated amount l will be entered in an accumulator. The entering and accumulating operations are not part of the present invention and will not be described.

During the cycle in which 14! is entered into the accumulator. the second film frame. generally designated as l ln F18. 2, passes the upper sensing station. 'I'his frame bears codally represented amount llt. Since the hundreds order contains digit 3, the light falling on the hundreds order photocells I is decreased at this tine. and point I rises in potential, again eil'ecting ignition of gas triode |42, in the manner described previously. Consequently, when there is a control grid bias reduction of tube .2lb at "1'1" in this cycle, its previously lowered screen voltage renders this bias reduction ineifective, so that point l is not reduced in potential. Accordingly, the feed clutch magnets I remain energized, as indicated by point I" in the third cycle (Fig. 4, line b).

Referring now to Fig. 2, the third fllm frame, generally designated l, is a blank illm frame in this example and, as has been mentioned, designates a group termination. As the second illm frame I traverses the lowersensing station in the cycle just described. the blank third 111m frame 9 passes the upper sensing station. Since there is no indicia spot in the hundreds order, the light sensing the record is not diminished and the related order photocell i does not have its energization interrupted. Consequently, point III remains at the potential of line 2, and gas triode I does not become ignited. Accordingly, point I does not drop in potential and at "11," when the control grid bias of tube 52th is reduced, its screen voltage is still at a high value, as indicated at lll in Fig. 4, line c. This negative grid bias reduction is therefore effective to increase current flow through tube i281), and point Il! drops in potential sufilciently to extinguish gas triode |28, thus interrupting current ilow therethrough. Feed clutch magnets 49B are therefore deenergized. and at D at the termination of the cycle, the detent disks 495 (Figs. 2 and 3) are declutched and illm feeding is suspended. The foregoing has described the manner in which a blank film frame, which is indicative of a group termination, is edective to 10 automatically cause suspension of nlm feeding operations.

Attention is directed to the fact that whenever nlm feeding operations occur. a nlm frame completely traverses a sensing station in one cycle. Since differentially disposed spots are employed for representing the data, it follows that a given differential designation position on the lm must be positioned at a sensing station at the corresponding time in an accumulator cycle. That is to say, the 9 position of a film frame must be at a sensing station at "9" in a cycle and the 8 D081- tion in a nlm frame must be at the sensing station at "8," etc. Accordingly, the illm feeding mechanism when it is operating must be synchronized in operation with regard to the time of production of control pulses by the oscillators at diii'erent times of a cycle.

It has already been pointed out that a movement equal to one tooth movement of ratchet I (Figs. 2 and 3) advances the film l2l for one frame length. It is therefore apparent that the time during which the ratchet I is advanced one tooth must equal that of a cycle. Accordingly, tne motor Ill (Fig. 1) is driven at a speed which takes into account the lzearing intermediate the motor and gears of each clutch ratchet. such as 4t2, in order that ratchet I which is mounted on and driven by 2, advance one tooth each accumulator cycle. This synchronization between the lm feeding mechanism and the production of control pulses in a cycle is accomplished by supplying motor "l (Figs. 1 and 5) from a power source which is controlled from one of the oscillators.

As stated before, a pulse of positive polarity appears on resistor lla: (Fis. 5b) at D. A branch circuit from this resistor extends via a battery lll to the grid of a triode ISI. With no potential on resistor 81x, battery I" maintains the grid of tube i at cut-on. A positive pulse, however, opposes battery l", thereby reducing the negative grid bias of tube Gli, permitting current to now therethrough momentarily. A resonant circuit. comprising inductance G92 and condenser "3, is in series with tube lli between lines i and 2. When the current through i increases, the resonant circuit is momentarily excited and oscillations are initiated. Inductance 2 and condenser n! are adjusted. so that the period of oscillation is equal to the frequency with which the tube I momentarily passes current, i. e.,

'at D once each cycle. The output of this externally controlled oscillator circuit is coupled by means of a condenser 694 and resistor I to the amplifier Il I. The output from amplifier il I is of sinusoidal characteristic and is of sufiicient power to drive motor 415, when switch ill is closed. This arrangement provides a power supply for motor 415 having the same frequency as the cyclic production of control pulses. It will be appreciated that the frequency of the power supply for motor 415 can be any multiple of or submultiple of the basic accumulator cycle depending upon the point in the circuit from which the exciting voltage is derived, for pulsing tube ISI. In this manner, the speed of the motor is maintained synchronized with the operation of the oscillator circuits and therefore the proper timed relation always prevails between sensing of designation positions of each record and the production of control pulses in a machine cycle.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novelfeatures of the invention as applied to a single modification.

11 it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention. therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, means for feeding record material having differential designation positions any of which may be formed with a designation, a photoelectrlc cell past which the material is fed to be sensed while in motion for a designation in one of said positions, control means to interrupt feeding operation. and an electronic tube circuit controlled by the photoelectrlc cell upon sensing a designation in any said position for rendering the control means ineffective to interrupt feeding operation.

2. In a cyclically functioning machine, means to sense designations on records, means feeding the records, one each cycle, past the sensing means, a circuit controlling the feeding means, an electronic discharge tube so connected to said circuit that upon a change in electronic status of the tube the circuit is adjusted in electrical condition to interrupt operation of the feeding means, cyclic means producing a pulse each cycle tending to change the status of the tube, and means under control of the sensing means upon sensing of a designation during the cycle for preventing said change in status, whereby feeding operation continues when designations are sensed on the record and is interrupted when a designation is not sensed on a record during a cycle.

3. In combination, means to sense records for designations, mechanism to feed the records successively past the sensing means, electromagnetic clutch means rendering the feeding mechanism effective, a circuit energizing the clutch means. an electronic discharge device in shunt with said circuit, means for applying potential to said discharge device tending to increase current iiow therethrough and thereby to cause deenergization of the clutch means so as to interrupt record feeding operation, and means undercontrol of the sensing means upon sensing a designation for preventing the increase in current flow through said discharge device, whereby the clutch means remains eiective.

4. In combination, means to sense records for designations, mechanism to feed the records past the sensing means, a circuit having alternative electrical conditions in one of which it enables the feeding mechanism to continue in operation and in the other of which it disables the feeding mechanism, an electronic trigger tube for selectively determining the condition of said circuit, and means under control of the sensing means for selectively controlling the trigger tube and, thereby, the condition of the circuit, to interrupt feeding operation when a designation is not sensed on a record and to continue operation as long as designations are sensed on the records.

5. In a cyclically functioning machine, means to sense records for designations, mechanism to feed records past the sensing means, one record each cycle, a control circuit for the feeding mechanism, and an electronic discharge tube including a control electrode whose potential varies under control of the sensing means according to whether a designation is or is not sensed on a record,

said tube also including a second control electrode pulsed at a ilxed time of each cycle to modify current iiow in the tube when the potential on the first mentioned control electrode is at high value, said tube selectively controlling the circuit according to current flow in the tube so as to interrupt record feeding operation when a designation is not sensed during the cycle and to continue record feeding operation when a designation is sensed during the cycle.

6. In a cyclically operating machine, means to sense records for designations, mechanism to feed the records, one each cycle, across said sensing means, electronic discharge means, means producing a pulse at a fixed time of each cycle and applying said pulse to an input circuit of the discharge means, means under control of the sensing means for enabling said pulse to be selectively effective to change the electronic status of the discharge means depending on whether a designation has or has not been sensed on a record during the cycle, and means controlled by the discharge means in accordance with its electronic status for selectively determining continuation of feeding operation.

7. In cyclically functioning apparatus. an electronic circuit altered in electronic condition at a variable time of a cycle. a second electronic circuit with means controlled by the rst circuit upon alteration in its condition ior preparing the second circuit for a change in electronic status, means producing an electrical pulse at a fixed time of a cycle and impressing said pulse upon the second circuit to effect the change in status for which it has been prepared, work means thereupon brought into operation by the second circuit. means in the first circuit controlled by the second circuit upon its change in status for preparing the first circuit to be reset to its previous condition, and means producing a pulse at a fixed time of a cycle and impressing the pulse upon the iirst circuit to reset the first circuit, after being prepared, to the previous condition.

8. In a cyclically functioning machine, feeding means for feeding record material cyclically through the machine, a circuit conditionable to render the feeding means en'ective, electronic discharge means adjustable in status at any point oi the cycle for thus conditioning the circuit, and means controlled by the circuit upon being so conditioned and jointly controlled by an electrical pulse at a suitable time of the cycle for restoring the discharge means to its initial status.

ARTHUR H. DICKINSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,964,874 Frankboner July s, 1934 2,069,595 Thomas Feb. 2, 1937 2,093,529 Tauschek Sept. 21, 1937 2,120,369 Mills June 14, 1938 2,145,574 Rimberg Jan. 31, 1939 2,176,828 Walker Oct. 17, 1939 2,254,932 Boyce Sept. 2, 1941 2,254,933 Boyce Sept. 2, 1941 2,256,458 Morck Sept. 16, 1941 2,370,727 Holden Mar. 6, 1945 o y I 

